Hi CC,

Over the past few years the notoriety, quality and not least quantity of new world wines has indeed rocketed to the detriment of the French market unable to foresee the threat and wrongly convinced of its superiority (arrogance perhaps? The French? Arrogant? Surely not!!!! ). As a result here in england we can see almost on a 6 monthly basis stocks of French wines dwindling to the benefit of wines from the US, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

My worry is not so much in terms of quality of the wines produced there as they are indeed excellent. What IS worrying is that the diversity in French wines which is (to my knowledge) unrivalled is being killed off by mass production. If we take Bordeaux for example, there are so many different types of wines within that region (sometime a particular vineyard will produce a totally different wine even if the very same grape is planted next door. The soil may vary slightly, it may get more/less rain, and / or 1 hour of sunshine more/less per day and this will make all the difference) that a small producer cannot possibly compete with, say, a company focusing entirely on Shiraz and selling it to a world-wide market.

What is really worrying is that I can see a danger in standardising tastes where, in 50 years time, people will only know and like 2 or 3 wines unaware of the multitude of choice once available.

I don't want to end up forced to make a choice between a Shiraz and a Merlot. It may be that I fancy something in between (Bordeaux for Example) but may not be able to find it in a few years time.

Sooooooooo to (finally) reply to your post, it is great for you guys to be able to find cheaper French wines at the moment but I am worried it is a sign that the diversity provided by the French is in danger. Once they are unable to compete a small producer will simply close shop or even worse will start making Shiraz, Merlot or Pinot Grigio.

Stock up on St Emillion CC!!!! We may not have long left!